A randomized clinical trial published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology has assessed whether injections of botulinumtoxin-A in calf muscles benefit children with cerebral palsy.

“We hypothesized that injections with botulinumtoxin-A in the calf muscles would make walking easier, caused by improved ankle joint functioning following spasticity reduction,” the authors wrote.

In the trial, one botulinumtoxin-A treatment was not superior to placebo in making walking easier (measured as a reduction in energy cost or improved walking capacity); however, there was some evidence of a delayed improvement in energy cost. Furthermore, there was some evidence of a decrease in calf pain intensity. No serious adverse events related to botulinumtoxin-A treatment were recorded.